Hey Darlings! Today I had the opportunity to attend a Soft VIP Opening for a new store located in Jonesboro, Georgia as part of the company’s ongoing initiative to support economic development in diverse, underserved areas of the county. This Community Store is the first of its kind located here in the great state of Georgia. Each location including the Jonesboro, GA location aim to support the community by making it their mandate to create new jobs, engaging minority-owned businesses and collaborating with local nonprofits to support and create needed opportunities for the community.
The initiative launched in 2015 and has since then opened 13 other stores across the country in Jamaica; Queens, New York; Ferguson, Missouri; Phoenix, Arizona; Englewood in the south side of Chicago; east Baltimore; Long Beach, California; Trenton, New Jersey; White Center in south Seattle; Miami Gardens, Florida; Birmingham, Alabama; Dallas, Texas; BedStuy in Brooklyn, New York; and New Orleans, Louisiana.
I attend thousands of events and this one was the most significant one for 2019. Today’s events will forever be embedded in my heart. I absolutely love Starbucks but its more of a “they always have my favorite tea, nutritious popcorn and delicious blueberry muffin” type of love. I’m often in Starbucks at least once or twice a week working on my business and blog. I think that its very fair to say that its my office most times and the rent space only cost me a few cups of tea and muffins. Today elevated my view of Starbucks. Its one thing to hear others via web or read articles about all of the amazing things that Starbucks has been doing but to actually be in the room with the executives, managers, artist, non profits agencies and local politicians it takes on a very new meaning.
As Derrick Pratt, Regional Vice President of Southeast Operations for Starbucks addressed the crowd there were heart felt moments as he spoke and you could see the love, dedication and hard work that went into bringing this dream to improve communities to fruition. You could just feel the warmth throughout the presentation.
The Store Manager Trent has years of experience working with communities and non profits which in my opinion makes him the perfect person for this initiative here in Georgia. His new store located in Jonesboro has already created 28 local jobs by hiring partners (employees) right from the area. The hiring process includes those within a specific radius of the store which is amazing. When you factor in transportation concerns, the youth attending school and life this helps those locally in the community. Also by hiring in the local community the brand helps support economic development and the building of stronger connections and ties with the community.
I learned that both qualifying full-time and part-time partners at the location will be able to take advantage of the company’s leading benefits, including full health care coverage and equity in the form of stock; the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, which gives partners the opportunity to get a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University with full tuition reimbursement; and more.
As Starbucks continues to make their strives in the communities they continue to work with minority-owned general contractors to build the stores. This store also features beautiful art pieces from local artist and Tanzanian- Nigerian creative Marryam Moma whose collage art can be seen in the community room that will host business meeting, community events and a plethora of events. Moma’s in-store collage art celebrates Atlanta’s rich cultural heritage of human connection, empowerment and beauty. Moma noted that “My artistic inspiration today is derived from all the culture, public art installations, several exhibits and shows around the city and building connections and nurturing friendships with other artist in the community.
The Jonesboro store is located at 6564 Tara Blvd, Jonesboro, GA 30236. The store opens on Friday, July 12, 2019 with its official Grand Opening. Please take a moment to stop by, support the partners and enjoy this beautiful store. Feel free to share images using #StarbucksCommunityStore